Game 1: Start it off right in Phoenix

It’s hockey time. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The roster is set. The tough decisions have been made. Now it’s time for the New York Rangers to take the ice in Phoenix for their first game of the season. The ‘Yotes are an intriguing team, since they don’t really score many goals and rely heavily on defense and goaltending to win games. Dave Tippett is one of the top coaches in the league, and he has consistently made Phoenix a playoff contender.

On the ice, Tippett runs a very conservative style of play. The Coyotes run a 1-2-2 hybrid trap, which is something they’ve been running for some time down in the desert. They aren’t anything out of they ordinary when it comes to defensive zone schemes (zone defense), power play strategies (umbrella), or penalty kill formations (hybrid, depends on puck location/situation). This is a very passive hockey club that will capitalize on mistakes in the neutral zone.

Rangers lineup:

Brad Richards-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Taylor Pyatt-Brian Boyle-Jesper Fast
Benoit Pouliot-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
JT Miller-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
John Moore-Anton Stralman

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

PP1: Staal-Richards-Miller-Stepan-Nash
PP2: Del Zotto-Girardi-Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello

Scratches: Ryan Callahan (shoulder), Carl Hagelin (shoulder), Arron Asham (healthy), Justin Falk (healthy)

Game time is 10pm tonight. We are in for a long night. Welcome back, New York Rangers hockey.

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